English imports lead Northern Districts to victory

Northern Districts' English imports, Steven Croft and James Foster, played crucial innings in the 24-run win against Otago at Seddon Park, in the opening game of the HRV Cup. They came together in the eighth over, with Northern Districts on 42 for 4, and added 126 runs for the fifth wicket. The 100-run stand had come off only 62 balls. Croft made 81 off 49 deliveries and Foster scored 48 off 30. Both of them were dismissed in the last over and Northern Districts made 174 for 7. Neil Wagner took thee wickets for Otago but was expensive, conceding 39 in four overs.

Anton Devcich struck two early blows in Otago's chase, reducing them to 19 for 2 in three overs. Hamish Rutherford top-scored with 47, but Otago did not have the powerful innings that Croft and Foster had provided Northern Districts. They were always behind the asking rate, and finished on 150 for 6. Left-arm seamer Bradley Scott did not take a wicket for Northern Districts but he conceded only 23 runs in four overs.